1857 1C PR65 NGC. The Philadelphia Mint did not begin
commercial proof set offerings until 1858, one year after this
impressive Gem was struck. The Mint did strike a limited number of
proof coins to satisfy the needs of collectors and government
officials in earlier years, but no official records were kept and
the numbers minted can only be estimated today. As recently as
2012, the Guide Book estimated the mintage of the 1857 proof
Flying Eagle cent at 485 pieces, but series specialists like
Richard Snow argued that the number of survivors was much too small
for such a large mintage. The 2014 Guide Book has a lower
estimate of just 100 pieces struck, but others feel that figure may
still be too high.

The present coin is a delightful Gem, with sharply detailed design
elements and deeply reflective fields that show a mix of
greenish-gold and lilac patina. The well-preserved surfaces are
free of mentionable signs of contact and show a few microscopic
specks of carbon on both sides. Census: 7 in 65, 0 finer
(8/13).(Registry
values: N7079) (NGC ID# 227B, PCGS# 2040)